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Friday, January 17, 2014

HIGH MAGA: The Scene That Inspired the Cover

Before beginning his work on the cover art for High Maga, Thomas Vandenberg read both the new novel and its previously published companion, Eolyn. He asked me if I had any preferences for the cover image. I did have some ideas, but I chose not to share these with him before he had a chance to read the stories. I wanted to find out what would appeal to Tom's imagination as an artist. In the end, one of the three scenes he proposed to illustrate was also on my list of favorites: Eolyn's first confrontation with a Naether Demon.

Here I give you a brief preview of the chapter that inspired the cover of High Maga:

High Maga

Chapter 9 (excerpt)

The energy of the forest pulsed at their
feet, poised to respond to Sir Borten's bidding. “There is your magic, Sir Borten," said Eolyn. "Now
here is what you must do. Bring together all the elements you just told me
about, the earth beneath you, the air in your lungs, the water in your cup, and
the fire in your heart. Imagine all of it coming together into a single
brilliant point of light, and when you see that light, repeat these words: Ehekahtu naeom tzefur. Ehukae.”

The night thickened with Borten's effort.
After a moment, magic coursed up from the ground through his legs, filling his
torso, wrapping around his heart. The strength of the vortex pulled a second
current from Eolyn, and her magic tingled as it passed from her hands into
his back. He drew a steady breath and exhaled the verse.

Eolyn withdrew.

Borten turned to face her. Steam rose
from the cup of water in his hands. His expression was incredulous, jubilant.

Eolyn clapped in joy. “You
see, Sir Borten? It is not so difficult after—”

Agonized screams ripped through her
words. With a frightened cry, Eolyn took off toward the girls. She burst into
the adjacent clearing and stopped short at the sight of a beast that swayed on
long glowing limbs, a set of gaping pits where the eyes and mouth should have
been. In one ebony-clawed hand it held Sirena, her chest torn open from throat
to sternum, the shredded bodice black with blood.

Eolyn’s vision blurred. Her heart
imploded. She clutched at her ribs, breath reduced to ragged gasps, knees
buckling beneath her. Borten caught one arm and hauled her to her feet. Their
eyes met.

All
your senses open.

The knight released her and approached
the monster with sword drawn.

Eolyn forced back the grief that had
scattered her thoughts.

All
your spirit focused on the task at hand.

Mariel crouched in the shadows,
clutching Eolyn’s staff. Tears streamed down the girl’s face. Her shoulders
shook like leaves on the wind.

“Mariel.” Eolyn’s voice was calm. “Set
down my staff and climb the beech behind you, as quick and high as you can.”

“But Maga Eolyn—”

“Do as I say. If this goes badly, you
are not to come down until dawn.”

With a sob the young maga fled up the tree.
Eolyn called the staff to her. The water crystal ignited, casting an ivory
light over the dwindling fire, illuminating the creature in full. The beast
groaned, a needy howl born of insatiable hunger.

Women and Science

Join author and ecologist Karin Rita Gastreich for an ongoing exploration of women and science. How have gender stereotypes influenced the practice of science? How have women contributed to science? Watch out for some interesting parallels between science and fantasy fiction.